Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Onychophagia: Case Report

Abstract

In this case report, a patient with body-focused repetitive behavioral disorders associated with lip biting and cheek chewing is discussed under the title of other OCD and related disorders defined according to DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. A 26-year-old female client with nail biting behavior was treated with cognitive behavioral therapy. She said that this behavior, which she discovered in her childhood, relieved her in stressful situations, but she reported that she was uncomfortable with the appearance that had occurred especially since she started working. Although she applied some methods to prevent the behavior in her own way, she could not prevent the behavior and applied for professional support, thinking that she needed help. For the nail biting behavior, which is the first target that was determined together with the client and wanted to be solved, the times and how often the client bit their nails were investigated. In order to understand in which stressful situations this behavior occurs intellectually, a study of automatic thoughts was conducted. In the behavioral dimension, some techniques were used to prevent her from biting her nails. Although the sessions are still continuing, it has been observed that the client has made progress. More studies are needed between cognitive behavioral therapy and interventions for nail biting behavior.